Scotland took a huge step towards qualifying for Euro 2024 with a stunning late comeback to defeat Norway in Oslo.
Steve Clarke’s side trailed just after the hour to a brilliantly taken penalty by Erling Haaland before strikes from Lyndon Dykes (87) and Kenny McLean (89) turned the game on its head to hand Scotland a five-point lead at the top of Group A.
Manchester City striker Haaland struck in the 61st minute when he was felled by the outstretched leg of Ryan Porteous and won a penalty, before dispatching expertly.
But the visitors hit back, Dykes levelling after defender Leo Ostigard only half-cleared John McGinn’s ball in, before Dykes turned creator and crossed for McLean to sweep home an unlikely winner to put Scotland in control of the group ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with second-placed Georgia at Hampden Park.
Also on Saturday, Georgia beat Cyprus 2-1 in Larnaca thanks to a late goal from Zuriko Davitashvili to keep their unbeaten start to qualifying intact and put pressure on Clarke’s team ahead of the game in Glasgow.
Premier League pair Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scored the goals as Portugal coasted past Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in Group J, the Manchester United midfielder netting twice late on after Silva had given the 2016 European champions a half-time lead.
Slovakia beat Iceland 2-1 in Reykjavik with former AC Milan and Watford midfielder Juraj Kucka on target, that result meant Slovakia moved two points behind Portugal in second, with Luxembourg a place behind after they were 2-0 winners against Lichtenstein.
Belgium drew 1-1 with Austria in Brussels to leave them in second place behind the visitors in Group F, Romelu Lukaku equalising in the second half after Austria had taken the lead when Michael Gregoritsch’s far-post volley deflected in off Red Devils midfielder Orel Mangala.
Azerbaijan and Estonia drew 1-1 to leave the sides occupying the last two spots in the group.
In Group E, the Czech Republic pulled clear of second-place Poland to establish their place at the top of the standings, Vaclav Cerny scoring twice in a 3-0 win against the Faroe Islands. Albania beat Moldova 2-0 in Tirana to move level on points with Poland, who did not play.
Lithuania and Bulgaria finished 1-1 in Group G, whilst Montenegro against Hungary ended goalless.
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life after Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
Brentford 3-1 Southampton: Bees begin life without Toney with comfortable win
Brentford began life without Ivan Toney with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
Data debrief: Wissa continues to prove effective at home
Wissa now has five goals and two assists in his last seven matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford have recorded consecutive home league wins for the first time since last November, and the first time in their opening home games since August 2018.
Pirlo sacked as Sampdoria head coach after dismal Serie B start
Andrea Pirlo has been sacked as Sampdoria's head coach after just over a season at the helm.
Pirlo, who managed Juventus for the 2020-21 campaign, has been relieved of his duties after an underwhelming start to their Serie B season.
After finishing seventh in Italy's second tier last term, the 45-year-old was given the green light to try and return to Serie A at the second time of asking.
However, an opening day draw with Frosinone was followed up with back-to-back defeats to Reggiana and Salernitana, leaving them second-bottom in the division.
During his time in charge, Pirlo won 18 of his 45 matches in charge (D10 L17), averaging 1.42 points per game, a total only bettered by his time with Juventus (2.15).
Sampdoria return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this weekend in search of their first three points of the season, welcoming Bari to Genoa on Saturday.
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